Random Analytics: MERS-CoV in the KSA (October 2013)

Please note that this infographic of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was updated with public source information to 1200hrs 8 October 2013 EST *****

With just days to go until the HAJJ, the largest gathering of Muslims in one place each year and more than a year after the first cases of MERS-CoV came to our attention I thought it might be worthwhile concentrating on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this month.

The above infographic shows the distribution of MERS-CoV by onset province in the Kingdom. I have chosen to use the FluTrackers.com methodology and include one of the first victims who was actually a UK citizen, thus my numbers won’t match those that are officially noted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health.

Two points that were made clear to me during my research into the KSA MERS-CoV figures is that the basic data is awful; a far cry from what has been made available from the Chinese during their H7N9 outbreak. I won’t say too much more on that as many including Helen Branswell, Crawford Kilian and Ian M. Mackay have all commented about this for some months now but I would ask if anyone can see an error in the infographic please correct me and I’ll remedy ASAP.

Please note that this infographic of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was updated with public source information to 1200hrs 8 October 2013 EST *****

With just days to go until the HAJJ, the largest gathering of Muslims in one place each year and more than a year after the first cases of MERS-CoV came to our attention I thought it might be worthwhile concentrating on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this month.

The above infographic shows the distribution of MERS-CoV by onset province in the Kingdom. I have chosen to use the FluTrackers.com methodology and include one of the first victims who was actually a UK citizen, thus my numbers won’t match those that are officially noted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health.

Two points that were made clear to me during my research into the KSA MERS-CoV figures is that the basic data is awful; a far cry from what has been made available from the Chinese during their H7N9 outbreak. I won’t say too much more on that as many including Helen Branswell, Crawford Kilian and Ian M. Mackay have all commented about this for some months now but I would ask if anyone can see an error in the infographic please correct me and I’ll remedy ASAP.